EDC 102H F13 2013-09-07

Today's Agenda

• Introduce yourselves to each other! Class Photos
• Warmup: Grading Schools
• Small Groups: American Schools in Crisis
  • For one of the questions below, work in groups of 3-4 to discuss Ravitch's essay, focusing on her assertions and evidence. Be sure to have one group member take notes, one be responsible for summing up, and one for presenting your conclusions.
    • Are American schools in crisis?
    • For Ravitch, what are (and are not) the purposes of public schools?
    • What are some of the unintended consequences of current reforms?
  • Report out;
  • We'll add your notes/summary to URITK. If a person in your group brought a computer, record your notes here.
• Quick Tour - URITeacherKnowledge (Time Permitting)
• Introduction to Syllabus (Time Permitting)
• Survey Feedback (Time Permitting)
• Close: How do OUR school grades align with Ravitch's message. What does this mean?

Homework

• Read: Suskind, 2005: pp. 1-39
• Write a 2-3 page (double or single space) essay describing an area of personal expertise. (Not due until next WEDNESDAY)
  • You can do this in MS Word, but we will eventually upload it into URITK.